R&D
Director
About The Position
The Research & Development Director is responsible for developing and commercializing custom polymer formulations and driving innovation within Verdeco’s growing line of rPET material solutions. This critical role will lead the R&D and Quality Labs at the manufacturing facilities and play an active role in the future development of a corporate innovation center.
This position will play a critical role in the development of custom rPET products for packaging and other high value applications.
Working alongside customers, you will provide hands-on formulations of next generation solutions for market challenges and position the organization as a leader in this emerging technology. You will be seen as the Subject Matter Expert internally & externally and expected to stay informed of related industry advancements.
Primary Responsibilities
- Hands-on formulations to meet market demands and to solve challenges presented by specific applications.
- Identify opportunities and develop new products to proactively commercialize and take to market
- Develop consistent KPI’s across the organization’s lab locations and manage team performance accordingly
- Work with customers on specific applications and create custom rPET formulations to meet product demands
- Manage R&D and Quality Labs and team members
- Work with senior leadership and sales & marketing to identify opportunities for innovation
- Travel as needed to company facilities and customers
- Work with customers to resolve and prevent quality issues
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry (or similar) is required and an advanced technical degree is desired
- Experience in custom polymer formulations of thermoplastic materials. rPET, PET, PE experience helpful, as is experience working with packaging applications.
- Experience working with customers, vendors and internal commercial team
- Ability to drive innovation and assume role as an SME
- Experience in hiring, developing, training and managing R&D personnel
